Every year, the first weekend of college football features its share of exciting games and brutal blowouts, And, in the case of No. 15 Oregon, Saturday’s historic rout of Portland State firmly fell in the latter category.
Behind a high-powered offense led by quarterback Bo Nix, the Ducks kicked off their season with a dominant 81–7 victory against the Vikings, making Oregon the first FBS team in eight seasons to score 80-plus points in a game since UNLV beat Idaho State, 80–8, in 2015.
Oregon’s lopsided dub also set a new scoring record for the program in the modern era (since 1970), and gave second-year Dan Lanning the biggest win of his tenure in Eugene thus far.
A 13-yard Nix touchdown pass to receiver Troy Franklin opened the flood gates early in the first quarter, but Portland State followed with a TD to cut the deficit to one. However, the 8–7 score would be the last time these teams were within striking distance as Oregon ran away with the contest.
In all, the Ducks recorded 729 total yards of offense, 381 of which came through the air, while averaging 10.1 yards per play. Nix, in his second season with Oregon, turned in a game-high 287 passing yards and three touchdowns.
At the skill positions, Franklin and Gary Bryant Jr. each hauled in seven catches to finish with 106 and 100 yards, respectively, and two scores a piece, while running backs Mar’Keise Irving (four carries) and Jordan James (10 carries) combined for 205 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
🙌@jayden_limar takes this one into the end zone for six more! Oregon leads 81-7. #GoDucks
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 2, 2023
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